Chocolate Tasting TechniquesWritten by Shauna Hanus
First of all start with an empty stomach. This has never been too much of a stretch for me, I am always willing to sample chocolate before dinner. Next, have chocolate at recommended 66-77 °F. Finally allow chocolate to sit in your mouth for a few moments. This will help to release principal flavors and aromas. After chocolate has set for a few moments chew it slightly to release secondary aromas. Resting chocolate against roof of your mouth will allow all flavors to be enjoyed.Fun Fudgy Cookies 1 ½ Cups flour 1⁄8 tsp salt 1 Cup semisweet chocolate chips ½ Cup Butter 1 Cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 ½ Cups chopped walnuts Preheat oven to 375 °F Combine flour and salt in a small bowl and set aside. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler. Remove from heat and cool. Beat together until smooth butter, sugar and eggs. Beat in melted Chocolate. Gradually add flour and salt to wet ingredients. Stir in nuts.
| | Tidbits of GarlicWritten by Shauna Hanus
Just this morning my mother was telling me about all Italian and Greek immigrants she and my dad lived amongst when they were first married. As she spoke of all intense aromas that filled their little neighbor in Youngstown, Ohio she began to reflect on their superstitions. One particular long held belief was protecting strength of garlic.She explained how when local high school football team was playing a neighboring school that was know to have a bigger and stronger team mothers would tie a garland of garlic around boys necks. The mom's would then say if garlic doesn't do trick smell will surely knock opposing team over. This little story got me to thinking about all benefits of garlic. I have heard told that Egyptian slaves ate garlic and onions to keep up their energy levels while building pyramids. In fact, folklore indicates that garlic can ward off vampires, and even plague.
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